Commission approves rezoning for mulch‑yard staging site north of I‑95 in Reevesville

The Dorchester County Planning Commission approved a rezoning that will change about 5.48 acres at 6412 Bridal Drive (Reevesville) from AR (agricultural residential) to CL‑1 (commercial light/industrial) to allow a mulch‑yard staging and storage operation.

Planning staff said the property — historically the site of legal nonconforming uses — lies more than a mile north of the I‑95/Highway 78 interchange and is within an employment‑mixed‑use designation. The applicant amended the request to add a portion of an adjacent parcel so the site would provide sufficient area for setbacks and buffering from a nearby residence. Staff recommended approval but noted a missing condition in the staff report: that the subdividing plat for parcel 042 be recorded.

Applicant Wayne Shider said the site will be used primarily as a staging area for blower trucks that load mulch from other facilities; he described the operation as mainly a staging location without large onsite mulching operations. ‘‘It’s more of a place to bring the trucks and to do it,’’ Shider said.

Commissioners discussed proximity to an Edisto Electric facility and floodplain constraints; staff said any development within the floodplain would need to comply with compensatory storage requirements. A motion to approve passed by voice vote.